CN103108784A

CN103108784A - Universal coupler for a beam blade windshield wiper assembly

Info

Publication number: CN103108784A
Application number: CN2011800447537A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 瓦伦丁·阿瓦西洛阿耶; 丹·伊德
Original assignee: Trico Products Corp
Current assignee: Trico Products Corp
Priority date: 2010-09-15
Filing date: 2011-09-14
Publication date: 2013-05-15
Anticipated expiration: 2031-09-14
Also published as: US20120060315A1; CA2810711A1; WO2012037227A2; CN103108784B; US9003596B2; GB2497038A; WO2012037227A3; GB201304205D0; CA2810711C; DE112011103092B4; DE112011103092T5; GB2497038B

Abstract

The present invention overcomes the limitations and disadvantages in the related art in a beam blade windshield wiper assembly 26 having a universal coupler assembly (66). The universal coupler assembly (66) includes a carrier (68) that is operatively mounted to the windshield wiper assembly, a saddle (70) that is removably received and retained by the carrier (68), and a coupler (72) that is operatively mounted to the saddle (70). The carrier (68), saddle (70), and coupler (72) cooperate to accommodate various sizes of hook-type attachment members, bayonet-type attachment members, as well as pin-type attachment members that are used to connect the wiper arm and the windshield wiper assembly.

Description

The combination connector that is used for beam chip windscreen wiper assembly

Technical field

Present invention relates in general to the windscreen wiper assembly.More specifically, the present invention relates to a kind of combination connector that is used for beam chip windscreen wiper assembly for beam chip Windshield Wiper being connected to various types of Wiper arms.

Background technology

Comprise two kinds at the known windscreen wiper of association area, be commonly called, " championship (tournament) " Windshield Wiper and " beam sheet (beam blade) " formula Windshield Wiper.In any kind, the windscreen wiper assembly removably is connected to the Wiper arm of vehicle.Particularly, adopt the Windshield Wiper unitor so that the connection between the attaching parts of windscreen wiper assembly and Wiper arm.

On the manufacturing aspect, not the compatibility of paying close attention to very much between Wiper assembly and Wiper arm usually, because these elements typically offer the OEM vehicle manufacturer as the part of whole wiper system.Yet the windscreen wiper assembly can wear and tear and must change.Typically, the Windshield Wiper unitor for beam chip windscreen wiper assembly only is designed to be connected with the Wiper arm attaching parts of single type.At after market, the compatibility between Wiper arm and windscreen wiper assembly is a problem.If any, the selection of the Wiper assembly that is provided for changing to the end user also seldom, and the end user usually needs to buy from the dealer of OEM vehicle manufacturer the Wiper assembly of replacing.

Due to limited after market supply and the limited selection relevant with beam chip windscreen wiper, need to be for the combination connector assembly that uses together with beam chip windscreen wiper assembly in this area, this beam chip windscreen wiper assembly operationally is connected to various Wiper arm attaching parts with beam chip windscreen wiper.

Summary of the invention

The present invention has overcome existing restriction and defective with beam chip windscreen wiper assembly of combination connector assembly.The windscreen wiper assembly comprises: with wiping element, at least one slender beam and the coupler assembly for the treatment of that wipe surfaces contacts, this slender beam has a pair of vertical end.Coupler assembly comprises carrier, and carrier vertically is being mounted to slender beam between end.Saddle is removably held and is kept by carrier.Coupler assembly also comprises unitor, and unitor is suitable for being mounted to saddle.Unitor comprises pair of sidewalls, and each sidewall has the notch of mutual alignment and extends table section between sidewall, and sidewall cooperates to limit raceway groove between sidewall.Cantilever beam between sidewall with the extension of turning up the soil of table section parallel interval.Cantilever beam comprises upper surface, and this upper surface cooperates to limit elongated passageway with sidewall.Raceway groove and elongated passageway cooperation are operationally to hold the first hook-type Wiper arm attaching parts of at least two kinds of sizes.Cantilever beam further comprises lower surface, and lower surface cooperates to limit elongated track with sidewall.Raceway groove and elongated track cooperation are operationally to hold the second hook-type Wiper arm attaching parts of at least three kinds of different sizes.In addition, substrate between sidewall and table section and cantilever beam extend abreast and be arranged between table section and cantilever beam.Substrate cooperates to hold the pin type Wiper arm attaching parts of at least two kinds of different-diameters with table section and notch, and further cooperate to limit slender cavity with sidewall and table section, this slender cavity is suitable for operationally holding the sword bayonet type Wiper arm attaching parts of at least a size.

In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a kind of beam chip windscreen wiper assembly with combination connector.The windscreen wiper assembly comprises and wiping element, at least one slender beam and the coupler assembly for the treatment of that wipe surfaces contacts, and this slender beam has a pair of vertical end.Coupler assembly comprises carrier, and carrier vertically is being mounted to slender beam between end.Carrier comprises end face and is formed on seat on the end face of carrier.Saddle removably holds and remains in the seat of carrier.Saddle comprises body, unitor erecting frame and is used for engaging releasedly the lockout mechanism of carrier.Body is suitable for being contained in collaboratively in the seat that is formed by carrier.In addition, coupler assembly comprises unitor, and unitor has pair of sidewalls, and each sidewall has the recess of mutual alignment, so that unitor is suitable for being mounted to saddle.Carrier, unitor and saddle cooperation are with the pin type attaching parts of the hook-type attaching parts of accommodating at least five kinds of different sizes, two kinds of different sizes and the sword bayonet type attaching parts of at least a size.

Therefore, an advantage of the invention is, beam chip windscreen wiper assembly operationally engages and typically is specifically designed to the Wiper arm attaching parts that connects prize competition style wiper blade assembly.

Another advantage of the present invention is, general Windshield Wiper coupler assembly provides the beam chip windscreen wiper assembly of selecting as the replacement of prize competition style windscreen wiper chip module, and having increased to the end user thus can be for the selection of the windscreen wiper assembly of changing.

Another advantage again of the present invention has been to provide a kind of beam chip windscreen wiper assembly, this beam chip windscreen wiper assembly is suitable for engaging releasedly various Wiper arm attaching parts, reduces thus on the OEM aspect needs to various windscreen wiper assembly.

Another advantage more of the present invention has been to provide a kind of beam chip windscreen wiper assembly, and this beam chip windscreen wiper assembly is suitable for use in and connects various Wiper arm attaching parts, increases thus the supply of after market upper beam chip windscreen wiper assembly.

Because identical becoming better understood after having read subsequently description taken together with the accompanying drawings, other purposes of the present invention, feature and advantage will easily be understood.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 is the fragmentary, perspective view of front portion with power actuated vehicle of a pair of windscreen wiper assembly, and this windscreen wiper assembly is installed pivotly for the crank motion across the Windshield of this vehicle;

Fig. 2 is the transparent view of windscreen wiper assembly;

Fig. 3 is the exploded view of windscreen wiper assembly;

Fig. 4 is the front perspective view of the carrier of coupler assembly;

Fig. 5 is another front perspective view of the carrier of coupler assembly;

Fig. 6 is the rear view of the carrier of coupler assembly;

Fig. 7 is the face upwarding view of the carrier of coupler assembly;

Fig. 8 is the front perspective view of the saddle of coupler assembly;

Fig. 9 is the rear view of the saddle of coupler assembly;

Figure 10 is the face upwarding view of the saddle of coupler assembly;

Figure 11 is the side perspective of the unitor of coupler assembly;

Figure 12 is the opposite side transparent view of the unitor of coupler assembly;

Figure 13 is the side cross-sectional view of the unitor of coupler assembly;

Figure 14 A is the assembly drowing of explanation for the unitor of the coupler assembly of the contact position of the first hook-type Wiper arm attaching parts;

Figure 14 B is the side cross-sectional view of the unitor of coupler assembly, and this coupler assembly is operatively engaged to the first hook-type Wiper arm attaching parts of the type shown in Figure 14 A;

Figure 15 A is the assembly drowing of explanation for the unitor of the coupler assembly of the contact position of the second hook-type Wiper arm attaching parts;

Figure 15 B is the side cross-sectional view of the unitor of coupler assembly, and this coupler assembly is operatively engaged to the second hook-type Wiper arm attaching parts of the type shown in Figure 15 A;

Figure 16 is arranged on the front perspective coating figure of the unitor in saddle for explanation; With

Figure 17 is arranged on the rear perspective coating figure of the unitor on saddle for explanation.

The specific embodiment

With reference now to accompanying drawing,, wherein similar label is used to refer to similar structure, and the part of vehicle is schematically shown with 10 in Fig. 1.Vehicle comprises cowl upper 12, top cover 14 and a pair of spaced front pillar or " A " post 16, and front pillar or " A " post 16 extend between top cover 14 and cowl upper 12.That A post 16, top cover 14 and cowl upper 12 cooperate to support bending between them or " to sweepback " Windshield 20.

Wiper system represents with 22 generally in Fig. 1, and is used for cleaning Windshield 20.Wiper system 22 comprises generally with the Wiper arm of 24 expressions with generally with the 26 beam chip windscreen wiper assemblies of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as " Wiper assembly ") that represent.Wiper assembly 26 is engaged to releasedly Wiper arm 24 and is suitable for cleaning treats wipe surfaces, and namely Windshield 20.Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand, and wiper system 22 can comprise more than one Wiper arm 24 and Wiper assembly 26.As an example and as shown in Figure 1, wiper system 22 can comprise a pair of Wiper arm 24 and Wiper assembly 26, they correspond respectively to driver's side and the passenger side of vehicle 10.In addition, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand, and Wiper assembly 26 can be used in other zones of vehicle 10, for example adopt rear window (not shown) or the head lamp (not shown) of wiper system 22.Therefore, will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to only be used for connecting the Wiper arm 24 adjacent with the Windshield 20 of vehicle, also can be used for adopting all application of Wiper assembly 26.

Wiper arm 24 comprises the slender body 28 with hub switch side 30, and hub switch side 30 is operatively engaged to the motor (not shown), and this motor drives Wiper arm 24 in the mode that swings back and forth across Windshield 20.More specifically, slender body 28 may be operably coupled to hub switch side 30 in hinged mode, leaves Windshield 20 so that people can be risen slender body 28.By this way hinged between hub switch side 30 and slender body 28, routine are known that and make it possible to wiper system 22 and/or Windshield 20 are safeguarded or checked, and the dismounting and the installation that are used for Wiper assembly 26.Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand, and Wiper arm 24 can further comprise bias piece, and this bias piece applies downward power to Wiper assembly 26 by Wiper arm 24, so that contacting between the Windshield 20 of Wiper assembly 26 and vehicle 10.As an example, bias piece can comprise spring.What will be further understood that is that the slender body 28 of Wiper arm 24 can comprise the chamber adjacent with hub switch side 30, operationally to hold bias piece.

As already pointed out, windshield wiper system can adopt the Wiper arm with dissimilar attaching parts.For example, Fig. 1,14A-15B illustrate the Wiper arm 24 that has generally with the attaching partss of 32 expressions, and attaching parts 32 extends from slender body 28.Figure 14 A, 14B and 15A, 15B illustrate respectively two kinds of different representational sizes " hook-type (hook-type) " attaching parts 32A and 32B.Hook-type attaching parts shown in these figure is the representative of the connecting arm of type well known in the art.Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand, and the hook-type attaching parts is fabricated to and is of different sizes.For example, be known that to adopt to be used for the hook-type attaching parts that metric system is used, this hook-type attaching parts has the 7mm of being of a size of, 9 * 3mm, 9 * 4 * 23mm, 9 * 4 * 28mm and 9 * 4 * 33mm.In addition, coupler assembly of the present invention also is suitable for using together with " sword bayonet type (bayonet-type) " attaching partss of various sizes and " pin type (pin-type) " attaching parts.The pin type attaching parts of various sizes, sword bayonet type attaching parts and hook-type attaching parts have been specifically designed to traditionally and have been connected to " championship " formula windscreen wiper assembly.Yet, the invention provides a kind of combination connector, this combination connector can be selected as the replacement that is used for connection Wiper arm attaching parts beam chip windscreen wiper assembly 26, and this Wiper arm attaching parts is connected to prize competition style windscreen wiper assembly traditionally.

With reference to figure 1-3, windscreen wiper assembly 26 comprises: with the wiping element of 36 expressions, wiping element 36 is suitable for contacting with the wipe surfaces for the treatment of of vehicle 10 generally, and in this representative illustration, the wipe surfaces for the treatment of of vehicle 10 is Windshield 20.Wiping element 36 comprises upper part 38 and the lower part 40 that the separating part 42 by longitudinal extension separates.In the operational movement process of Wiper assembly 24, separating part 42 provides the flexibility between part 38 and lower part 40.As described in more detail below, upper part 38 is suitable for being convenient to be connected to the add ons of Wiper assembly 26, treats wipe surfaces and descend part 40 to be suitable for engaging.

Wiping element 36 comprises the predetermined length corresponding with special-purpose and cross-sectional profiles, and typically by the extrusion process manufacturing, this makes the length of wiping element 36 and cross-sectional profiles easily to regulate, and can not increase considerably manufacturing expense.In addition, although wiping element of the present invention 36 made by flexible rubber.Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand, and without departing from the scope of the invention, wiping element 36 can be made and be made by for example injection molding any manufacturing process by any flexible material of for example silicone or other poly-mers.

Wiper assembly 26 can comprise also that generally slender beam 44 operationally engages wiping element 36 with the slender beams of 44 expressions.Slender beam 44 is suitable for distributing across wiping element 36 and comes from the downward pressure of Wiper arm 24.Therefore, slender beam 44 comprises vertical end 46 and 48, vertically holds 46 and 48 to limit the predetermined length that can be convenient to distribute from the downward pressure of Wiper arm assembly 24.Slender beam 44 further comprises top 50 and the bottom 52 that is arranged between vertical end 46 and 48.In the embodiment that illustrates in the drawings, wiping element 36 is operatively engaged to the bottom 52 of slender beam 44 by adhesives/epoxy resin.Yet, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand, slender beam 44 can be operatively engaged to wiping element 36 by additive method, for example is operatively engaged to wiping element 36 by being limited to slit in slender beam 44, that hold the part of wiping element 36.In addition, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand, and Wiper assembly 26 can comprise the slender beam 44 over that is operatively engaged to wiping element 36.

Slender beam 44 can be made by any resilient flexible material of for example spring steel or poly-mer, its be convenient to span that power from spring-loaded Wiper arm 24 strides across slender beam 44 towards first vertically end 46 and second vertically end 48 apply.For this reason, slender beam 44 can be longitudinally crooked with the predetermined bend radius of the planar curvature that is equal to or greater than Windshield 20.This predetermined bend radius is called " free form " radius of curvature (hereinafter referred to as " Windshield curvature ") sometimes in association area.Therefore, the curvature of slender beam 44 can depend on that the requirement of power and the profile of Windshield 20 are symmetry or asymmetric.When 24 pairs of slender beams 44 of Wiper arm apply power so that slender beam 44 flattens and when guiding wiping element 36 contact Windshield 20, flexible, slender beam 44 free form, prebuckling straightens.Therefore, slender beam 44 comprises the curvature of free form, and the curvature of this free form guarantees to distribute in the power that has on the Windshield of various curvature, and this power distribution realizes the suitable covering to Windshield 20.

Slender beam 44 comprises substantially constant thickness, and vertically has constant width on the whole length between the vertical end 48 of end 46 and second first.This constant thickness is suitable for the lateral stiffness and the torsional stiffness that provide high, and avoiding lateral deflection and torsional deflection, this lateral deflection and torsional deflection can cause that wiping element 36 clings/slides in operating process (" trembling ") on Windshield 20.Therefore, the cross-sectional plane of slender beam 44 is that this more easily makes it substantially uniformly.More specifically, in the metal situation of slender beam 44 by for example spring steel, complicated not as making the needed instrument of beam 44 and equipment with variable thickness for the manufacture of instrument and the equipment of slender beam 44.In addition, in the situation that slender beam 44 is made by the poly-mer of for example thermoplastic elastomer, instrument and extrusion process equipment are also complicated not as instrument and the extrusion process equipment of making the slender beam employing with variable thickness.Yet those of ordinary skill in the art will understand, and without departing from the scope of the invention, the slender beam 44 shown in this paper can comprise thickness and/or the exterior contour (width) of variation.As an example, the width of slender beam 44 and/or thickness can be from beam central linear ground, sine curve ground, parabola ground or diminish gradually asymmetrically.Additionally, the slender beam 44 that illustrates in the drawings is single integrated piece of material, thereby it limits solid cross-sectional plane.Yet those of ordinary skill in the art will understand, and slender beam 44 can form monolithic or use the multi-disc of layer laminates.

Wiper assembly 26 also can comprise generally the wings with 54 expressions, and the wing 54 is used for crossing the operational movement process for the treatment of wipe surfaces, reduces the possibility that wind rises.The wing 54 comprises two sections 54A and the 54B with same structure.Therefore, the structure of two sections 54A and the 54B of the wing 54 will be described with identical label.Yet those of ordinary skill in the art will understand, and the wing 54 also can be constructed to individual unit.

The wing 54 comprises generally with 56 base portions that represent.Base portion 56 comprises the connecting portion 58 of engage elongate beam 44.More specifically, the connecting portion 58 of each in

section

54A and 54B combines the wing 54, wiping element 36 and slender beam 44 thus vertically engaging the part of top 50 and bottom 52 between end 46 and 48.Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand, without departing from the scope of the invention, the wing 54, slender beam 44 and wiping element 36 can combine by other means, for example by adhesives/epoxy resin, the wing 54 is connected to the top 50 of slender beam 44, perhaps by adopting the additional structure such as holding element or spline that wiping element 36 is connected to slender beam 44 or slender beam 44 is connected to the wing 54.

The wing 54 further comprises spoiler 60, and in crossing the operational movement process for the treatment of wipe surfaces, spoiler 60 is suitable for utilizing air-flow to be increased in downward power on Wiper assembly 26.For this reason, spoiler 60 inwardly is tapered to limit slight wavy profile from base portion 56 towards terminal point 62.As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the profile of spoiler 60 is symmetrical substantially on cross-sectional plane.Yet those of ordinary skill in the art will understand, and without departing from the scope of the invention, spoiler 60 can comprise asymmetric cross-sectional profiles.Additionally, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand, and without departing from the scope of the invention, the wing 54 can comprise solid spoiler 60 or hollow spoiler 60.Wing 54A of the present invention and 54B are by thermoplastic material and the use manufacturing process manufacturing identical with the above manufacturing process of describing about wiping element 36.It should be understood, however, that the wing 54 can use different technique and/or different material manufacturings.As an example, the wing 54 can use have than for the manufacture of the polymer composition of the better hydrophobic property of material of wiping element 36 by the injection molding technique manufacturing.

Wiper assembly 26 also can comprise generally with the 64 a pair of end caps that represent.End cap 64 is suitable for operationally engagement wings 54.End cap 64 comprises the profile of the profile of simulating substantially the wing 54, with the wind rising characteristic that keeps Wiper assembly 26 and the aesthetic values that raising is provided.End cap 64 comprises vertical end 46 of covering slender beam 44 and 48 closing end 66.Closing end 66 anti-sealing, ice and the infiltration of chip between slender beam 44 and the wing 54, this infiltration can hinder the proper operation of Wiper assembly 26.The closing end 66 of end cap 64 can be suitable for extending beyond vertical end 46 and 48 of slender beam 44, so that the external terminal of Wiper assembly 26 and treat contact between wipe surfaces.More specifically, end cap 64 provides the increase with vertical end 46 of slender beam 44 and 48 adjacent quality, reduced the possibility of trembling along the part of the end points of Wiper assembly 26, tremble and be to be risen and to be assigned to by slender beam 44 from Wiper arm 24 by wind that the combination that reduces of this regional power causes in this part, as mentioned above.

Wiper assembly 26 further comprises generally with the 66 combination connector assemblies that represent.Combination connector assembly 66 can be used for accommodating Wiper arm with attaching parts of various sizes, and the attaching parts with various sizes includes but not limited to: two kinds of different pin type attaching partss, at least a sword bayonet type attaching partss and five kinds of different hook-type attaching partss nearly.Coupler assembly 66 comprises generally with the carriers of 68 expressions, generally with the saddles of 70 expressions with generally with the unitors of 72 expressions.Each element will be described in more detail following.More specifically, carrier 68 is along the midway location setting between the first wing 54A and the second wing 54B.Opposite with the beam chip Wiper assembly of comprising of routine of little contact point (from the power of Wiper arm 24 by should little contact point distribution), carrier 68 has been widened initial point, is applied to slender beam 44 from the power of Wiper arm 24 by this initial point.By this way, more effectively distribute across slender beam 44 from the downward power of Wiper arm 24, reduce thus the possibility that wind rises and improved wiping action.

With reference to figure 4-7, carrier 68 comprises the inside face 74 that arranges with 44 one-tenth proximity relations of slender beam.Inside face 74 comprises the tang 76 of a plurality of horizontal expansions, and tang 76 is suitable for the operationally bottom 52 of engage elongate beam 44.Tang 76 and the remaining structure of inside face 74 cooperate to limit generally with the tracks of 78 expressions, and track 78 operationally holds the centre portion of slender beam 44.As shown in Figure 7, inside face 74 comprises the tang 76 of four horizontal expansions, the tang 76 of these four horizontal expansions operationally setting adjacent with 54B with wing panel 54A to adapt to the elasticity of slender beam 44.By this way, the part of slender beam 44 remains in track 78, but still can be corresponding to the curvature bending for the treatment of wipe surfaces.

It should be understood that

wing panel

54A and 54B restriction carrier 68 is with respect to the axial motion of slender beam 44.Yet those of ordinary skill in the art will understand, and tang 76 can comprise that additional structure is to prevent the axial motion between carrier 68 and slender beam 44.As an example, the one or more posts that may further include in tang 76, and slender beam 44 can comprise the corresponding brake component that is suitable for holding post, to prevent that carrier 68 is with respect to this axial motion of slender beam 44.Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand, and slender beam 44 can may be operably coupled to by the whole bag of tricks except described above carrier 68.As an example, carrier 68 can be by adhesives, rivet or be welded and fixed to slender beam 44.

Carrier 68 further comprise with wing panel 54A in an adjacent setting first end (generally with 80 expression) and with second end (generally with 82 expressions) of the adjacent setting of another alar part 54B.Each in first end 80 and the second end 82 comprises the corrugated outer surface corresponding with the wavy profile cardinal principle of wing panel 54A and 54B.The second end 82 comprises the downward tapered relief surface 84 of in alar part 54B.Relief surface 84 is essentially depressed part, and this depressed part is provided for the gap of various attaching partss by coupler assembly 66 service, as described in more detail below.

Carrier 68 comprises seat 86, this 86 depressed part that is essentially in the end face that is formed on carrier 68.Seat 86 meets the boundary with at least three sides of frame 88.Pallet 90 extends at the rear wall 92 along the first end 80 that extends carrier 68 and the carrier 68 between the second end 82 between two parts of frame 88.Pair of holes 94 is formed in the lower antetheca 96 of the carrier 68 relative with rear wall 92.Seat 86, frame 88 and hole 94 are used for saddle 70 with respect to carrier 68 location and fixing, as the following more detailed description.Seat 86 can comprise that also window section 98 with the gap of the structural constituent that is provided for being formed on the various types of attaching partss on Wiper arm, according to circumstances decides.

Higher rear wall 92 comprises that a pair of each interval is arranged bag section 100.Bag section 100 be designed to be formed on saddle 70 (as the following more detailed description) on lockout mechanism cooperate.Each bag section 100 incorporates the release gap 102 that is formed on bag section 100 upper ends into.Discharge gap 102 and allow users that saddle 70 removably is connected/dismantles with bag section 100, as described in more detail below.In addition, rear wall 92 also can comprise the wavy depressed part 104 that is arranged between a pair of bag section 100.

Saddle 70 and comprises body 106, unitor erecting frame 108 and lockout mechanism 110 best as shown in Fig. 8-10.Body 106 is suitable for being contained in collaboratively in the seat 86 that is formed by carrier 68.For this reason, the diapire 112 of saddle 70 comprises the isolated shoulder 114 of pair of parallel, shoulder 114 be suitable for mating collaboratively with carrier 68 on seat 86 connect the frame 88 on boundary.Lockout mechanism 110 comprises pair of locking tang 116, and locking tang 116 extends upward and corresponding with a pair of bag section 100 on the higher rear wall 92 that is formed on carrier 68 from body 106.Locking tang 116 complementally is contained in bag section 100, so that saddle 70 is fixing with respect to carrier 68.Each tang 116 comprises upright finger 118, and the end user can be by hinged so that saddle 70 breaks away from carrier 68 with upright finger 118 by discharging space that gap 102 provides.Similarly, body 106 comprises pair of locking joint 122, and locked joints 122 is designed to be contained in collaboratively in hole 94 in the lower antetheca 96 that is formed on carrier 68.By this way, the lockout mechanism 110 of saddle 70 is convenient to be connected with carrier 68 bayonet fittings (snap-fit).

Unitor erecting frame 108 also comprises pair of straight riser 124, upright plate 124 in parallel to each other spaced apart setting to limit raceway groove 126 between upright plate 124.Each plate 124 comprises the through hole 128 of mutual alignment.In addition, spanning member 130 extends between plate 124.Raceway groove 126, through hole 128 and spanning member 130 cooperate with unitor 72, as described in more detail below.Similarly, saddle 70 comprise be formed on carrier 68 on central opening 132 corresponding to window section 98, adopt central opening 122 to adapt to rotatablely moving of various attaching partss, this attaching parts cooperates windscreen wiper to be mounted to this arm with unitor 72.Central opening 132 extends between a pair of bottom surface 134 that is formed on saddle 70 and this bottom surface 134 is contained in the seat 86 of carrier 68.

With reference to figure 2,3 and 11-17, coupler assembly 66 comprises further that generally with the unitors of 72 expressions, unitor 72 removably is connected to saddle 70.More specifically, unitor 72 is used as the self adaptation coupler so that attaching parts 32 interconnection of wiper blade assembly 26 and Wiper arm assembly 24.The present invention can be used as the part of wiper system 22 and uses, and this wiper system 22 is used for using together from the wide region vehicle of different OEM group preparation.In addition, the combination connector assembly 66 with unitor 72 according to the present invention can be used as the replacement parts of OEM wiper system or uses as the element of wiper blade unit replacement system.

In either case, unitor 72 of the present invention is suitable for operationally engaging the spanning member 130 in the raceway groove 126 that is positioned at saddle 70.For this reason and particularly with reference to figure 11-12, unitor 72 comprises pair of

sidewalls

164 and 166, each

sidewall

164 and 166 has respectively the

recess

168 and 170 of mutual alignment.Each

recess

168 and 170 has respectively the

arc support

172 and 174 that is formed on its

terminal.Arc support

172 and 174 comprises respectively

locking piece

176 and 178, and

locking piece

176 and 178 is suitable for engaging releasedly the spanning member 130 of saddle 70.In addition and as shown in the figure, unitor 72 is suitable for operationally engaging various dissimilar Wiper arm attaching partss 32, i.e. hook-type Wiper

arm attaching parts

32A and 32B (Figure 14 A-15B), pin type Wiper arm attaching parts and sword bayonet type Wiper arm attaching parts.

With reference to figure 14A-15B, hook-type Wiper

arm attaching parts

32A and 32B association area normally known and comprise

bent front ends

33A, 33B and

terminal

37A, 37B,

bent front ends

33A, 33B have arc-shaped

inner surface

35A, 35B, and

terminal

37A, 37B have hole 39A, 39B.Unitor 72 provides hook-type Wiper arm attaching parts 32A and the 32B that is operatively engaged to dissimilar varying dimensions (being 7mm, 9 * 3mm, 9 * 4 * 23mm, 9 * 4 * 28mm and 9 * 4 * 33mm etc.).For this reason, limit

curved surfaces

180 and 182 with its

recess

168 and 170 adjacent each sidewall 164 and border of 166 separately,

curved surfaces

180 and 182 is used for operationally the bent front ends 33A of hook-type Wiper

arm attaching parts

32A and 32B and at least a portion of 33B being remained on (referring to Figure 14 A-14B) between curved surfaces 180 and 182.Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand, although comprise

curved surfaces

180 and 182 with

recess

168 and 170

adjacent sidewalls

164 and 166 border, can adopt along the border of

sidewall

164 and 166 different structure of realizing identical purpose.As an example,

sidewall

164 and 166 border can comprise the octagon surface, and this octagon surface operationally keeps the part of hook-type Wiper

arm attaching parts

32A and 32B.

Particularly, with reference to figure 11-13, unitor 72 comprises the table section 184 that extends between

sidewall

164 and 166, and table section 184 cooperates to limit raceway groove 186 between them with sidewall 164 and 166.Unitor 72 also comprises cantilever beam 188, cantilever beam 188 between

sidewall

164 and 166 with the extension of turning up the soil of table section 184 parallel interval.Cantilever beam 188 comprises upper surface 190, and upper surface 190 cooperates to limit elongated passageway 192 with sidewall 164 and 166.Upper surface 190 has retainer 194, and retainer 194 is suitable for operationally engaging the first hook-type Wiper arm attaching parts 32A (Figure 14 B).Retainer 194 extend on the direction of table section 184 and be roughly wedge shape so that " slip over (slide-over) " with the actv. of the hole 39A of the first hook-type Wiper arm attaching parts 32A and engage.

With reference now to Fig. 2,3,11-13,15A and 15B,, unitor 72 of the present invention further comprises the structure that operationally engages the second hook-type Wiper arm attaching parts 32B.For this reason, cantilever beam 188 further comprises lower surface 198, and lower surface 198 cooperates to limit elongated track 200 with sidewall 164 and 166.Lower surface 198 has platform 202, and platform 202 is suitable for operationally engaging the second hook-type Wiper arm attaching parts 32B.If the hole 39B of platform 202 joint connections 32B, raceway groove 186 and elongated track 200 are suitable for holding collaboratively the second hook-type Wiper arm attaching parts 32B of different size.As an example, unitor 162 can engage the hook-type Wiper arm attaching parts 32B of 9 * 4 * 23mm.On the other hand, in the situation that retainer 194 can conjugate foramen 39A, unitor 162 can engage the hook-type Wiper arm attaching parts 32A of 7mm or 9 * 3mm.

As shown in figure 13, cantilever beam 188 further comprises terminal 204, and terminal 204 is convenient to the discharged joint of the first hook-type Wiper arm attaching parts and the second hook-type Wiper arm attaching parts 32A and 32B.More specifically, when the first hook-type Wiper arm attaching parts 32A or the second hook-type Wiper arm attaching parts 32B contact with retainer 194 or platform 202, cantilever beam 188 will be hinged away from attaching

parts

32A or 32B, in case and retainer 194 or platform 202 operationally conjugate foramen 39A or 39B, return to subsequently the parallel location substantially with attaching parts 32A or 32B.Additionally, the terminal 204 of cantilever beam 188 is suitable for contacting with the end user, engages to discharge operating between the first attaching parts 32A or the second attaching parts 32B and unitor 72.More specifically, the end user can engage terminal 204 so that cantilever beam 188 is hinged away from attaching

parts

32A or 32B, thus retainer 194 or platform 202 are discharged from hole 39A or 39B, and guide simultaneously unitor 72 (being more generally as Wiper assembly 26) to leave Wiper arm attaching parts 32A or 32B.Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand, and the terminal 204 of cantilever beam 188 can comprise flange or spherical end discharge Wiper

arm attaching parts

32A or 32B more easily to be convenient to the end user from adapter 162 ability.

With reference to figure 11-13, unitor 72 of the present invention can be operatively engaged to the pin type Wiper arm attaching parts of few two kinds of dissimilar or sizes.For this reason, unitor 72 further comprises a pair of

notch

206 and 208 and substrate 210,

notch

206 and 208 is defined between

sidewall

164 and 166, substrate 210 between

sidewall

164 and 166 and table section 184 and cantilever beam 188 extend abreast and be arranged between table section 184 and cantilever beam 188.Substrate 210 cooperates with table section 184 and

notch

206 and 208, operationally to hold the pin type Wiper arm attaching parts of at least two kinds of different-diameters, namely 3/16 " and 1/4 " the pin type Wiper arm attaching parts of diameter.More specifically, with reference to figure 11-13, table section 184 has deck 212, deck 212 is suitable for moving with double pointed nail shaft type Wiper arm attaching parts releasedly in the mode of cantilever, and this pin type Wiper arm attaching parts inserts between cantilever deck 212 and substrate 210 by the part of

notch

206 and 208.

Continue with reference to figure 11-13, unitor 72 also is suitable for being operatively engaged to the sword bayonet type Wiper arm attaching parts of few a type.For this reason, substrate 210 and

sidewall

164 and 166 and table section 184 cooperate to limit slender cavity 214 operationally to hold sword bayonet type Wiper arm attaching parts.Particularly with reference to Figure 13,17A and 17B, table section 184 comprises and being arranged between

sidewall

164 and 166 and the port 216 adjacent with cantilever deck 212.Port 216 is used for engaging releasedly the sword bayonet type Wiper arm attaching parts with knurl piece 41.Although unitor 72 of the present invention is designed to operationally engage the sword bayonet type Wiper arm attaching parts with knurl piece 41, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand, and unitor 72 is fitting-up bolt formula sword bayonet type Wiper arm attaching parts operationally.In the situation that adopt bolt type sword bayonet type Wiper arm attaching parts, port 216 will operationally hold bolt part, and bolt part is fastened to the tapped bore in bolt type sword bayonet type Wiper arm attaching parts.

The Wiper assembly that combination connector assembly 66 will have a beam chip topside may be operably coupled to the Wiper arm attaching parts of the prize competition style windscreen wiper assembly that is suitable for routinely being operably connected.Therefore, combination connector assembly 66 of the present invention allows beam chip windscreen wiper assembly to select as the replacement of prize competition style windscreen wiper assembly, increases thus the supply of after market upper beam chip windscreen wiper assembly.

Unitor 72 is preferably made by the injection moulding manufacturing and by the poly-mer of for example plastics.Yet unitor 72 can be made by the casting manufacturing and/or by the light-weight metal of for example aluminium alternatively.Additionally, the manufacture method of this innovation and make material and can become known, with to of the present invention make and/or make provide than the cost benefit of above announcement preferred approach better or in other respects.Therefore, thisly make material and manufacture method within the scope of the present invention.

The invention provides a kind of combination connector assembly 66 with carrier 68, saddle 70 and unitor 72, this combination connector assembly 66 is designed to operationally engage multiple different Wiper arm attaching parts.Therefore, the present invention be by increasing the Wiper arm attaching parts that can be connected with beam chip windscreen wiper assembly quantity to known in the art, for the improvement of the unitor/adapter of tie-beam chip windscreen wiper assembly.By increasing the quantity of the Wiper arm attaching parts that can be connected with beam chip windscreen wiper assembly, combination connector assembly 66 of the present invention has reduced the multiple different adapter of manufacturing beam chip windscreen wiper assembly and/or the needs of refill-unit.Therefore, the invention provides a kind of machinery effectively and the combination connector assembly 66 of manufacturing cost economy.

Combination connector assembly 66 with carrier 68, saddle 70 and unitor 72 of the present invention also can be used as the element of beam chip windscreen wiper unit replacement system.Therefore, combination connector assembly 66 of the present invention has reduced the quantity of the element of after market beam chip windscreen wiper unit replacement system inner packing.Further, by reducing the needs of the multiple adapter of combination in single after market beam chip windscreen wiper unit replacement system, the present invention has simplified the task of changing the wiper blade assembly.

The present invention describes in illustrative mode.It will be appreciated that, the term that has used is used for original meaning rather than the restriction of descriptive text.According to above instruction, many modifications of the present invention and modification are feasible.Therefore, the present invention's mode that can be not limited to be specifically described is implemented.

Claims

1. a beam chip windscreen wiper assembly (26), described beam chip windscreen wiper assembly (26) has combination connector assembly (66), and described windscreen wiper assembly (26) comprising:

With treat the wiping element that wipe surfaces contacts (36), at least one slender beam (44) and coupler assembly (66), described slender beam (44) has a pair of vertical end (46,48);

Described coupler assembly (66) comprises carrier (68), and described carrier (68) is mounted to described at least one slender beam (48) between described vertical end (46,48);

Saddle (70), described saddle (70) is removably held and is kept by described carrier (68); With

Unitor (72), described unitor (72) is suitable for being mounted to described saddle (70), described unitor (72) comprises pair of sidewalls (164,166), each described sidewall (164,166) has the notch (206 of mutual alignment, 208) and extend table section (184) between described sidewall (164,166), described sidewall (164,166) cooperation is to limit raceway groove (186) between described sidewall (164,166);

cantilever beam (188), described cantilever beam (188) between described sidewall with the extension of turning up the soil of described table section (184) parallel interval, described cantilever beam (188) comprises upper surface (190), described upper surface (190) and described sidewall (164, 166) cooperation is to limit elongated passageway (192), described raceway groove (186) and described elongated passageway (192) cooperation are operationally to hold the first hook-type Wiper arm attaching parts of at least two kinds of different sizes, described cantilever beam (188) further comprises lower surface (198), described lower surface (198) cooperates to limit elongated track (200) with described sidewall, described raceway groove (186) and described elongated track (200) cooperation are operationally to hold the second hook-type Wiper arm attaching parts of at least three kinds of different sizes, with

substrate (210), described substrate (210) is at described sidewall (164, 166) between and described table section (184) and described cantilever beam (188) extend abreast and be arranged between described table section (184) and described cantilever beam (188), described substrate (210) and described table section (184) and described notch (206, 208) cooperation is to hold the pin type Wiper arm attaching parts of at least two kinds of different-diameters, and described substrate (210) further with described sidewall (164, 166) and described table section cooperate to limit slender cavity (214), described slender cavity (214) is suitable for operationally holding the sword bayonet type Wiper arm attaching parts of at least a type.

2. windscreen wiper assembly according to claim 1 (26), wherein said upper surface (190) further comprises retainer (194), described retainer (194) is suitable for operationally engaging the first hook-type Wiper arm attaching parts and described lower surface (198) further comprises platform (202), and described (202) are suitable for operationally engaging the second hook-type Wiper arm attaching parts.

3. windscreen wiper assembly according to claim 1 (26), each described sidewall (164 wherein, 166) further comprise the recess (168 of mutual alignment, 170), described recess (168,170) terminal has support portion (172,174), and described support portion is suitable for engaging described saddle (70).

4. windscreen wiper assembly according to claim 3 (26), wherein with described recess (168,170) adjacent described sidewall (164,166) described border limits a pair of curved surfaces (180,182), described curved surfaces (180,182) is used for operationally at least a portion of the bent front ends of hook-type Wiper arm attaching parts is remained between described curved surfaces (180,182).

5. windscreen wiper assembly according to claim 1 (26), wherein said table section (184) further comprises cantilever deck (212), described cantilever deck (212) is suitable for moving with double pointed nail shaft type Wiper arm attaching parts releasedly in the mode of cantilever, described pin type Wiper arm attaching parts inserts between described cantilever deck (212) and described substrate (210) by described notch (206,208).

6. windscreen wiper assembly according to claim 5 (26), wherein said table section (184) comprises the port that is formed on the described cantilever deck (212) that is suitable for engaging releasedly sword bayonet type Wiper arm attaching parts.

7. windscreen wiper assembly according to claim 1 (26), wherein said carrier (68) comprises first end and the second end (80, 82), described windscreen wiper assembly (26) further comprises having two sections (54A, airfoil assembly 54B) (54), described two sections (54A, 54B) be arranged on described first and second ends (80 of described carrier (68), 82) with described vertical end (46 of described at least one beam (44), 48) between, described two sections of described airfoil assembly have wavy profile, described first and second ends (80 of described carrier (68), 82) have the corrugated outer surface corresponding with the described wavy profile cardinal principle of described two sections of described airfoil assembly (54).

8. windscreen wiper assembly according to claim 7 (26), described second end (82) of wherein said carrier (68) comprises relief surface (84), described relief surface (84) is tapered downwards towards adjacent wing panel (54B), described relief surface (84) is provided for the gap of the described attaching parts of described Wiper arm, and described Wiper arm is by described combination connector Component service.

9. windscreen wiper assembly according to claim 1 (26), wherein said carrier (66) comprises first end and the second end (80, 82), antetheca (96), and described antetheca is oppositely arranged and extends in the described first end of described carrier and rear wall (92) and the end face between described the second end, seat (86) is formed on the described end face of described carrier (68), frame (88) meets the boundary with at least three sides of described seat (86), and pallet (90) extends along described rear wall (92) between the two parts of described (88), and pair of holes (94) is formed on the described antetheca (96) of the described carrier (68) relative with described rear wall (92), described seat (86), described (88), described pallet (90) and described hole (94) cooperation are to locate described saddle (70) and to fix with respect to described carrier (68).

10. windscreen wiper assembly according to claim 9 (26), wherein said seat (86) comprises window section (98), described window section (98) is suitable for being provided for the gap of the structural constituent of described attaching parts, and described attaching parts is formed on described Wiper arm by described Universal connecting piece assembly (66) service.

11. windscreen wiper assembly according to claim 9 (26), wherein said saddle (70) comprises body (106), unitor erecting frame (108) and is used for engaging releasedly the latch-up structure (110) of described carrier (68), and described body (106) is suitable for operationally being contained in described (86) that formed by described carrier (68).

12. windscreen wiper assembly according to claim 11 (26), the described rear wall (92) of wherein said carrier (68) comprises a pair of bag section (100) that the space is arranged, and described lockout mechanism (110) cooperates releasedly described saddle (70) is mounted to described carrier (68) with described a pair of bag section (100) on the described rear wall (92) that is formed at described carrier (68).

13. windscreen wiper assembly according to claim 12 (26), wherein said lockout mechanism (110) has pair of locking tang (116), described locking tang (116) extends upward and corresponding with the described a pair of bag section (100) on the described rear wall (92) that is formed on described carrier (68) from described body (106), and described locking tang (116) complementally is contained in described bag section (100) with respect to the fixing described saddle (70) of described carrier (68).

14. windscreen wiper assembly according to claim 13 (26), wherein each described locking tang (110) comprises upright finger (118), and described upright finger (118) can be hinged to provide the release gap that described saddle (70) and described carrier (68) are broken away from.

15. windscreen wiper assembly according to claim 11 (26), the described body (106) of wherein said saddle (70) further comprises pair of locking joint (122), described locked joints (122) be suitable for being contained in collaboratively be formed at described carrier (68) described antetheca (96) in described hole (94) in, the described lockout mechanism (110) of described saddle (70) is convenient to be connected with the bayonet fitting of described carrier (68) thus.

16. windscreen wiper assembly according to claim 9 (26), wherein said saddle (70) comprises diapire (134), described diapire (134) has a pair of isolated shoulder (114), described shoulder (114) be suitable for mating collaboratively with described carrier (68) on described seat (86) connect described (88) on boundary.

17. windscreen wiper assembly according to claim 11 (26), the described unitor erecting frame (108) of wherein said saddle (70) comprises pair of straight riser (124), described pair of straight riser (124) in parallel to each other spaced apart setting to limit raceway groove (126) between described upright plate (124), each described plate (124) comprises the through hole (128) of mutual alignment and extends in spanning member (130) between described plate (124), described raceway groove (126), described through hole (128) and described spanning member (130) cooperate with accommodating Wiper arm with multiple different pin type attaching partss from described unitor (72).

18. windscreen wiper assembly according to claim 10 (26), wherein said saddle (70) further comprise be formed on described carrier (68) on central opening (132) corresponding to described window section (98), described central opening (132) and described window section (98) are suitable for adapting to rotatablely moving of various attaching partss, and described various attaching partss cooperate that with described unitor (72) described Wiper assembly is mounted to described Wiper arm.

19. windscreen wiper assembly according to claim 17 (26), wherein said unitor (72) are suitable for operationally engaging the described spanning member (130) in the described raceway groove (126) that is arranged on described saddle (70).

20. a beam chip windscreen wiper assembly (26), described beam chip windscreen wiper assembly (26) has combination connector assembly (66), and described windscreen wiper assembly (26) comprising:

With treat the wiping element that wipe surfaces contacts (26), at least one slender beam (44) and coupler assembly (66), described slender beam (44) has a pair of vertical end (46,48);

Described coupler assembly (66) comprises carrier (68), described carrier (68) is at described vertical end (46,48) be mounted to described at least one slender beam (48) between, described carrier (68) comprises end face and is formed on seat (86) on the described end face of described carrier (68);

Saddle (70), described saddle (70) removably holds and remains in the described seat (86) of described carrier (68), described saddle (70) comprises body (106), unitor erecting frame (108) and is used for engaging releasedly the lockout mechanism (110) of described carrier (68), and described body (106) is suitable for being contained in collaboratively in described (86) that formed by described carrier (68); With

Unitor (72), described unitor (72) comprises pair of sidewalls (164,166), each described sidewall (164,166) has the recess (168 of mutual alignment, 170) so that described unitor (72) is suitable for being mounted to described saddle (70), described carrier (68), described unitor (72) and described saddle (70) cooperation are with the pin type attaching parts of the hook-type attaching parts of accommodating at least five kinds of different sizes, two kinds of different sizes and the sword bayonet type attaching parts of at least a size.

21. windscreen wiper assembly according to claim 20 (26), wherein said carrier (68) comprises first end and the second end (80, 82), antetheca (96), be oppositely arranged and extend in described first end and described second end (80 of described carrier (68) with described antetheca, 82) rear wall between (92) and end face, frame (88) meets the boundary with at least three sides of described seat (86), pallet (90) extends along described rear wall (92) between the two parts of described (88), and pair of holes (94) is formed on the described antetheca (96) of the described carrier (68) relative with described rear wall (92), described seat (86), described (88), described pallet (90) and described hole (94) cooperation are to locate described saddle (70) and to fix with respect to described carrier (68).

22. windscreen wiper assembly according to claim 21 (26), the described rear wall (92) of wherein said carrier (68) comprises a pair of bag section (100) that the space is arranged, and the described lockout mechanism (110) of described saddle (70) cooperates releasedly described saddle (70) is mounted to described carrier (68) with described a pair of bag section (100) on the described rear wall (92) that is formed on described carrier (68).

23. windscreen wiper assembly according to claim 22 (26), wherein said lockout mechanism (110) has pair of locking tang (116), described locking tang (116) extends upward and corresponding with the described a pair of bag section (100) on the described rear wall (92) that is formed on described carrier (68) from described body (106), and described locking tang (116) complementally is contained in described bag section (100) so that described saddle (70) is fixing with respect to described carrier (68).

24. windscreen wiper assembly according to claim 23 (26), wherein said locking tang (116) comprises upright finger (118), and described upright finger (118) can be hinged to provide the release gap that described saddle (70) and described carrier (68) are broken away from.

25. windscreen wiper assembly according to claim 21 (26), the described body (106) of wherein said saddle (70) further comprises pair of locking joint (122), described locked joints (122) be suitable for being contained in collaboratively be formed on described carrier (68) described antetheca (96) in described hole (94) in, the described lockout mechanism (110) of described saddle (70) is convenient to be connected with the bayonet fitting of described carrier (68) thus.

26. windscreen wiper assembly according to claim 21 (26), wherein said saddle (70) comprises diapire (134), described diapire (134) has a pair of isolated shoulder (114), described shoulder (114) be suitable for mating collaboratively with described carrier (68) on described seat (86) connect described (88) on boundary.

27. windscreen wiper assembly according to claim 20 (26), the described unitor erecting frame (108) of wherein said saddle (70) comprises pair of straight riser (124), described pair of straight riser (124) in parallel to each other spaced apart setting to limit raceway groove (126) between described upright plate (124), each described plate (124) comprises the through hole (128) of mutual alignment and extends in spanning member (130) between described plate (124), described raceway groove (126), described through hole (128) and described spanning member (130) cooperate with accommodating Wiper arm with multiple different pin type attaching partss from described unitor (72).

28. windscreen wiper assembly according to claim 27 (26), wherein be formed on the described sidewall (164 of described unitor (72), 166) the described recess (168,170) on is suitable for operationally engaging the described spanning member (130) in the described raceway groove (126) that is arranged on described saddle (70).